PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kobe Hopkins (ranked 5712 p4p, 379 weight class) and Jack Wagner (ranked 7367 p4p, 422 weight class). Wagner has chosen Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Jack Wagner struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 146.5lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Jack Wagner is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Hopkins
vs
Wagner

169 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

167 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kobe Hopkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jack Wagner!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopkins thuds his right hand into Wagner's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hopkins fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Wagner looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hopkins jabs at Wagner's body.
Hopkins tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Wagner shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hopkins sprawls well. Hopkins wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Wagner gets slowly back to his feet.
Hopkins scores with a crisp jab that stopped Wagner in his tracks.

Wagner gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Wagner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopkins lands a hook that snaps the head of Wagner backwards.
Hopkins lands a shoulder strike.
Wagner tries for a takedown but Hopkins manages to get underhooks.
Hopkins scores with a hook to the body.
Hopkins scores with a shot to the side of Wagner's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wagner wants to get back to striking at distance but Hopkins won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hopkins.
Hopkins tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hopkins lands a shot to the body.
Hopkins is trying to stall.

Wagner manages to pull guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wagner can do anything to dispel that myth.

Wagner working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hopkins doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Wagner is tightening it up a little... Hopkins has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Hopkins reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Hopkins taps out! Nice BJJ there by Wagner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Jack Wagner!